Control mechanism for alternately operated motors



Nov. 6. 1934. E, w ssE '1 980,024

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ALTERNATELY OPERATED MOTORS Original Filed Sept. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l f (Ma/ 1 ATTO F? N 5Y5) 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 6, 1934- E. A. WINNEWISSER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ALTERNATELY OPERATED MOTORS Original Filed Sept.

Patented Nov. 6, 1934 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ALTERNATELY OPERATED orons Emil A. Winnewisser, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to The Prosperity Company, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application September 16, 1929, Serial 392,796. Divided and this application September 27, 1929, Serial No. 395,566. Re-

newed February 23, 1934 13 Claims.

The invention relates to garment or ironing presses and particularly to a power mechanism for closing the press jaws and for actuating another part thereof such as a work holder.

This invention has for its object a particularly simple and eflicient interlocking means between the controls for the actuating mechanism of machines in which two moving parts are alternately operated by motors whereby one motor is prevented from being actuated while the other motor is energized.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 392,796 filed September 16, 1929 for Work holding means for pressing machines and patented December 8, 1931, No. 1,835,254.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a garment or ironing press showing the work holder mechanism in section and the interlocking control valves separated from the frame of the press for the sake of clarity.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view mostly in section of the motor means and the control mechanism for controlling the motor means including the interlocking valves.

As here shown, my invention is applied to a power garment or laundry press having a power operated work holder and includes means to prevent the operation of the work holder when the press is closed, and to prevent the closing of the press while the work holder is being operated or in motion. The control and locking mechanism may be applied to other situations and mechanisms. The' cooperating pressing elements or jaws of the pressing machine here shown are a stationary buck l and a head 2 movable toward and from the buck. The buck ismounted upon a suitable bracket or goose neck 3 supported on a suitable frame 4. The head 2 is carried by the usual lever 5 pivoted between its ends at 6 to a standard 7 rising from the rear leg of the frame.

The actuating mechanism for the head 2 com-' prises a cylinder 8 having a piston 9 therein. The piston is carried by a piston rod 10 which is connected by suitable motion transmitting means to the head ,2. The motion transmitting means here illustrated, comprises, in addition to the lever 5, toggle links 11 and 12 pivoted together at 13 and respectively, at 14 and 15 to the rear arm of the lever 5 and to the base of the rear leg oi the frame. The link 12 has a forwardly extending arm 16 which forms a. bell crank therewith, the arm 16 being pivotally connected at 17 to the piston rod 10. The piston 9 is single acting and the press is opened, when the pressure in the cylinder is released, by countersprings l8 and 19, one end of the spring 18 being connected with the rear end of the lever 5 and the other end being secured to the frame 4, and one end of the spring 19 being connected to the frame 4 and the other end to the arm 16.

' The work holder comprises a tubular, swinging, angular arm 20 carried by a lever 21 which is pivoted at 22 to the frame 4. A tape 20 extends through the hollow arm 20 and winds upon a spring actuated reel within a casing 23, which is carried by the arm 20. The tape has a hook 24 at its free end normally located at the end of the arm 20. The lever 21 is actuated by a motor means having a cylinder 25 and a piston 26 therein, which piston is carried upon a piston rod 27 which is pivoted at 28 to the arm 21. The cylinder 25'is pivotally mounted on the frame 4, as by a ball and socket joint 25 to permit the motor to have an oscillating movement. The piston 26 is single acting, and the piston 26 and parts actuated thereby are returned to their starting position by a spring 29 when the pressure in the cylinder 25 is released. Hence, when motive fluid is permitted to flow to the cylinder 25 to actuate the piston 26, the arm 21 will be moved upwardly thereby rocking the angular arm 20 to carry its arcuate portion 20 across the face of the buck l and in so doing, carry the hook 24, at the free end of the tape, into- .engagement with latch means 31. When the pressure in the cylinder 25 is released, the arm 20 with its 'arcuate portion 20 returns to its startingposition, shown in Figure 1, but the tape 20 remains in its position across the buck 1 as the hook 24 is engaged with the latch means 31. During this movement, the reel in the casing 23 unwinds.

The latch 31 is carried by an arm 32 pivoted at 33 to the frame and connected through suitable link mechanism 34 to the arm 21 to be actuated thereby, in such manner that when the arm 21 is actuated by the piston 26, the arm 32 will be swung upwardly and carry the latch 31 into a position near the front edge of the buck and then remains in such position. To release the work holder, the latch 31 is tripped which permits the spring reel within the casing 23 to wind up the tape and pull the book 24 to the front end of the arcuate portion 20- of the arm 20.

The work holder construction forms no part of this invention but constitutes the subject matter of the other application previously referred to. The invention'herein is concerned with the control and locking means for the motor or power means which prevents the flow 01' air to the cylinder for the work holder motor when the press is closed by reason of actuation of the piston 9 in the cylinder 8, and prevents the flow of air to the cylinder 8 when the press is open while the work holder or arm 20 is being actuated by the piston 26.

The cylinders 8 and 25 with their pistons constitute motors usually operable alternately, these motors being pressure operated. The means for controlling the flow of motive fluid, as compressed air, to the cylinder 8 comprises a valve casing 41, Figure 2, having a normally closed springpressed intake valve 42 and a normally open exhaust valve 43 therein, these valves being conhected by a stem 44 so that they act as a unit, and operator-operated means for operating the valves. The intake end of the casing 41 is connected to a feed line 45 through pipe sections 46, 47 and a lock valve, to be presently described, between the sections.

The operator operated or manual means comprises a push button 48 acting on a lever 49 which thrusts against an intermediate lever 50 actin upon the stem 51 of the exhaust valve 43. A returning spring 52 is connected to the lever '49. The valve casing 41 is connected by a pipe 53 to a coupling 54 at the intake port 55 of the cylinder 8. The valves are locked in their operated position by a diaphragm 56 located in a diaphragm chamber 57, the diaphragm acting upon a sliding stem 56 which thrusts against the lever 50. The pressure sideot the diaphragm chamber is connected by a pipe 59 to a pipe 60 extending to the cylinder. The pipe 60 communicates with a casing 61 on thecylinder and a port 62 connects the casing 61 with the interior oi the cylinder. This port is in position to be uncovered by the piston 9 when the piston approaches the end of its power stroke, that is, when the head 2 of the press comes in contact with the buck 1, or the work thereon.

In order that both hands of the operator may be required to close the press, an additional valve casing 63 is provided havinga normally open exhaust valve 64 therein, the casing being connected, such as by pipes 65 and 53 to the coupling 54. The exhaust valve 64 is operated by a manual,

Y as a push button 66, acting through levers 6'7 and 68 on the stem 69 of the exhaust valve .64, said levers 67' and 68 corresponding to levers 49 and 50.

The valve 64 is also looked in its operated position by a diaphragm 70 within a diaphragm chamber 71 which is connected by a pipe .72 to the pipe 60, the diaphragm 70 acting on the lever 68 through a sliding stem 73.

,To open the press, means is provided for exhausting the air from the diaphragm chambers 57 and '71 in order to permit the valves 42, 43 and 64 to return to their normal positions and as the exhaust valves 43 and 64 are normally open, the air will exhaust from the cylinder 8 when the air is exhausted from the diaphragm chambers. This means, as here shown, comprises a valve casing 74 having a normally closed spring pressed release valve 75 therein and the casing is connected with the pressure side or the diaphragm chambers by the pipe 76 coupled to the pipes 59 and 72. The valve 75 is operated by a manual or trip lever 78 grouped with one or the other or the push buttons 48 and 66. The valve casings 41 and 63 are suitably supported by brackets or housings as 79 conveniently located on the frame of the machine. v

The construction of the valve mechanism per se, forms no part of this invention and its construction and operation is important only in c bination with other parts of the press and in connection with the locking valves to be presently described. Depression of the push buttons 48 and 66 permits air to flow irom the feed line 8 45, through the pipe sections 47, 46, and the lock valve casing connected therein, to the valve casing' 41, thence through the pipe 53 to the cylinder 8 to actuate the piston therein. When the piston uncovers the port 62, which event occurs when the press is closed, the air pressure passes through the port 62, casing 61, pipes 60, 59, and 72 to the diaphragm chambers 5'7 and 71 and locks the valves in the casings 41 and 63 in their operated position.

To open the press, the trip lever 78 is operated, thus releasing the pressure in the diaphragm chamber and permitting the valves in the casings 41 and 63 to return to their normal position and hence the air to exhaust from the cylinder 8 and the press to open. If only one of the push buttons- 48 and 66 are depressed, obviously, no air will flow to the cylinder 8 since if the push button 48 only is operated, the air instead or flowing to the cylinder, will exhaust out through the pipe 65 and valve casing 63, and if the push button 66 only is depressed, no air will flow as the intake valve 42 remains closed.

The flow of air to and from the cylinder 25 is controlled by a valve casing 81 having a normally 111} closed spring pressed intake valve 82 and 9, normally open exhaust valve 83 therein, these being connected by a stem 84 so that they act as a unit, and manual means for operating the valves. The intake end of the casing is connected to the feed line 45 through pipe sections 86 and 87 and a lock valve casing connected between said sections. The valves 82 and 83 are operated by a push button 88 and mechanism operated by the push button, as levers 89 and 90- acting upon a stem 91 of the exhaust valve 83. The valve casing 81 is connected by a pipe 93 to a coupling 94 in the intake port 95 o! the cylinder 25. The valves are locked in their operated position by a diaphragm 96 in a diaphragm chamber 97, the diaphragm acting on the lever 90 through a slid-, ing stem 98. The pressure side of the diaphragm chamber is connected by a duct 99 to the k terior of the casing 81. When the push button 88 is operated, air flows from the feed line 45 through pipe section 87, the locking valve casin and pipe section 86 to the valve casing 81, and from the valve casing 81 through the pipe 93 to the cylinder 25 to actuate the piston 26 therein and move any part actuated thereby, such as the 135 work holder in the illustrated embodiment of my invention.

To release the pressure in the cylinder 25 and permit the work holder or parts thereof, such as the tape carrying arm 20 and piston 26, to re- 146 turn to their starting position, the air is released from the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 97 by opening anormally closed release valve 100 in a valve casing 101 which is connected by pipes 102, 103 to'the pressure side of the die-.

phragm chamber 97. The release valve 100 is operated against the action of its returning spring by a trip lever 104. Obviously, depression of the push button 88 permits air to enter into the cylinder 25 to actuate the piston 26 therein, which 83 opens to exhaust the air from the cylinder 25.

which permits the work holder arm to return to its starting position under the influence of the spring 29.

mechanism above described with lock valves for preventing theflow of air to the pressoperat motor cylinder 8 when air is flowing to the work 1 holder motorcylinder 25, and for preventing the flow of air to the cylinder when air is flowing to the cylinder 8 and when the piston 9 is being held in operated position under air pressure. 111 and 112 designate casings oi the lock or interlock valves. The casing 111- has opposing pressure chambers 113 and 114 therein separated by a movable pressure operated member as a diaphragm 115. A valve 16 in the chamber 114 coacts with a valve seat 117. 118 is a spring normally tending to unseat the valve 116, although 25 this spring may be omitted. The diaphragm 115 thrusts against the valve 116. The feed pipe section 47 communicates with the chamber 114 on one side oi the valve 116 and the pipe section 46 leads from the chamber 114 from the opposite side of the valve 116. The area of the valve 116 against the diaphragm 115 is greater than the area of the valve head subject to the air pressure from the pipe 47 and since the air pressure in chamber 113 is equal to the supply pressure in 85 pipe 46, then the valve 116 is held closed because of the force obtained from the greater area, which force is greater than the combin force of the air pressure on the smaller area posed to the pressure upon the lower side of valve 126 and the spring force. v 3

Likewise the valve casing 112 is formed with opposing chambers-123 and 124, diaphragm 125, valve 126, valve seat 127 and spring 128, and is connected .to the pipe sections 86 and 87 in a manner similanto that in which the valve casing 111 is connected to the pipe sections 46, 4'7. The chamber 113 of the lock valve 111 is connected bya pipe 129 to the pipe 93 leading to the cylinder 25, and the chamber 123 of the lock valve so I casing 112 is connected by a pipe 130 to the pipe 53 or coupling 54 leading to the cylinder 9. When the push button 48 is operated, eliminating for the sake of convenience the push button 66 and parts operated thereby, the air flows from scithe feed line 45, through the pipe section 47, chamber 114 01' valve casing 111 past the valve 116, through pipe section 46, valve casing 41, and pipe 63 to the cylinder 8 to actuate the piston 9 therein; and also passes from the pipe 53 through to Z the pipe 130 to the pressure chamber 123 of lock valve casing 112,, thus locking the valve 126 closed so that no air will pass through said valve to the cylinder 25 ii the push button 38 is depressed. Likewise, assuming that all parts are in starting or. :position, that is, that the press is open, depression of the push button 88 will permit air to flowfrom the feed line 45 through pipe section 87, chamber 124 oi lock valve casing 112, pipe 86 to valve casing 81, thence through pipe 93 to the :cylinder 25 to actuate the piston 26 therein, and at the same time, the air will flow from the pipe 93 through the pipe 129 to the pressure chamber 113' of lock valve casing 111 thus locking the valve 116 in closed position so that even though 75 the push buttons 48 and 66 are depressed no air This invention relates to a combination or will-flow to the cylinder 8. Thus by reason of the lock'valves in the casings 111 and 112, the-- actuation of either motor 8 or 25 is prevented while the other is being actuated or air pressure is applied thereto. '11 all push buttons are depressed simultaneously, both lock'valve's would be operated so that no air would flow to the motom 8 and 25, or continue to now ior any appreciable period. By spacing the push buttons 88, 48 and 66 apart, it is not possible for one operator to depress all three push buttons;

What I claim is: p

1. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination two fluid pressure operated motors; a motive fluid feed line having branches to the respective motors; Operator operated valve means in each branch for controlling the flow of motive fluid through the respective branches; auxiliary valve means in each branch; and means, controlled by the flow of motive fluid through one branch, to operate the auxiliary valve means of the other branch to prevent the flow oi motive fluid through said other branch.

2. In an actuating mechanism of the class described, the combination of two pressure operated motors, a feed line having branches connected respectively to the motors, operator operated control valves in each of the branches, lock valve means in each branch between the control v valve therein and the feed line, each lock valve means comprising two pressure chambers, a movable pressure responsive -member separating them, a valve in one chamber, each branch including two pipe sections connected to the chamher in which the valve is located on opposite sides of the valve and a pipe connecting each branch, and the other chamber of the lock valve means in the other branch.

3. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination two motors operable independently of each other; two motive fluid supply lines, one connected with each of the motors; operator operated valve means in each of the motive fluid supply lines to control the flow of motive fluid therethrough; and means in each of the supply lines, operated by pressure from the other supply line, to cut ofi the flow of motive fluid in the supply line in which said means is located;

4. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination two motors operable independently of each other; a power feed line'having branches connected respectively to', the motors; operator-operated control devices in each oi! the branches; cut-out means in each branch between the control devices therein and the power feed line and operable to cut oil the supply of power .to the companion motor of'the branch in which the cut-off means is located; connections between each branch and the cut-off means in the other branch whereby when one branch is opened to the supply of power the cut-oil means in the other branch is operated;

5. In a garment or'laundry pressing machine in combination, cooperating press jaws one,'oi" which is movable towards and from the other, a fluid pressure motor operatively connected to the movable'press jaw, a work holder means movable into and out of operative position upon the press, a second fluid pressure motor operatively connected with the work holder means, a motive fluid feed line having a branch connected with each motor, operator-operated valve means in each branch for controlling the flow oi motive fluid through the respective branch, auxiliary valve means in each branch, and means con- 5 mot0r means.

press. a second fluid pressure motor'operatively connected with the work holder, a motive fluid teed line having a branch connected to each motor, operator-operated valve means in each branch for controlling the flow of motive fluid through the respective branch, auxiliary valve .means in one of the branches to one of the motors and operable to prevent the flow or motive fluid to that motor, and meanscontrolled by the flow of motive fluid to the other-motor to operate the auxiliary. valve means. i

7. In a garment or ironing DresS,in combination, cooperating press jaws one'of which is movable towards and from-theother, fluid motor means operatively connected to..the= movable press jaw to close the-same, means movable into and away from operative position upon the press when the press is open, asecond fluid'motor means operatively connected with the aforesaid means, a motive fluid feed line connected with each motor means, operator-operated valve means in each feed line for controllingthe flow of motive fluid through the respective line, auxiliary means controlling the flow of motive fluid in one feed line, and means controlled by the fluid pressure in the other feed line to operate the auxiliary means and prevent the flow of. fluid therein to the motor means connected therewith.

8. In a garment or ironing press, in combination, cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other, fluid motor means operatively connected to the movable press jaws to close the press, a work holder means movable into and out of operative position upon the press, a second fluid motor means operatively connected with the work holder means, a motive fluid feed line connected with each motor means, operator-operated valve means in the feed line for controlling the flow oi motive fluid through the respective line, auxiliary means controlling the flow of fluid in the feed line to the second motor means, and means controlled by the flow of motive fluid through the feed line to the flrst motor-means to operate the auxiliary means and thereby prevent the flow oi -fluid to the second 9. In a garment or ironing press, in combination, cooperating pressing jaws one of which ismovable towards and from the other, a fluid pressure motor operatively connected to the movable press jaw, a work holder means movable into and out of operative position upon the press, a second fluid pressure motor operatively connected with the work holder means, a motive fluidcfeed line having a branch connected with each motor,

, operator-operated valve means in each branch vfor controlling the flow of motive fluid through the respective branch, auxiliary means controlling the flow of fluid in each branch, and means controlled by the fluid pressure in one branch to operate the auxiliary means of the other branch and thereby prevent fluid flow to the motor connected therewith.-

10. In a garment or ironing press, in combination, cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other, fluid pressure motor means operatively connected to the movable press jawto close the press, a work holder means movable into and out of operative position upon the press, a second fluid pressure motor means operatively connected with the work holder means, a motive fluid feed line connected with each motor, operator-operated valve means in each fluid feed line for normally controlling the flow of motive fluid through the respective feed line, auxiliary means controlling the flow of fluid in one feed line, and diaphragm means connected with the feed line to one of the motor means and controlled by the flow of motive fluid therein to.

the motor means to operate the auxiliary means for the-feed line of the other motor means.

11. In a garment or ironing press, in combination, cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other, fluid motor means operatively connected to the movable press jaw to close the press, a work holder means movable into and out of operative position upon the press, a second fluid motor means operatively connected with the work holder means, a motive fluid feed line connected with each motor, operator-operated valve means in each feedline for normally controlling the flow of motive fluid therethrough, auxiliary means controlling the flow of motive fluid in each feed line, and diaphragm means for each auxiliary means connected with the feed line to the other motor means and controlled by the flow of motive fluid therethrough to operate the respective auxiliary means.

12. In a garment or'ironing press, in combination, cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other, a fluid pressure motor operatively connected to the movable press jaw, a work holder means movable into and out of operative position upon the press, a second fluid pressure motor operatively connected with the work holder means, a motive fluid feed line having a branch connected with each motor, operator-operated valve means in each branch for controlling the flow of motive fluid through the respective branch, auxiliary valve means in each branch, and diaphragm means operatively connected with eachauxiliary valve means, the diaphragm means for one feedline being connected with the feed line to the other motor means and controlled by the flow of motive fluid there-' through to operate the auxiliary valve means of the other feed line.

13. In a garment or ironing press, in combination, cooperating press jaws one of which is movable towards and from the other, fluid motor means operatively connected to the movable press jaw to close the same, means movable into and away from operative position upon the press when the press is open, a second fluid -motor means operatively connected with the aforesaid means, a motive fluid feed line connected with each motor means, operator-operated valve means in each feed line for controlling the flow of motive fluid through the respective line, and auxiliary means controlling the flow of motive fluid in the feed line to one of the motors and operatively connected with the other motor and actuated thereby upon" movement thereof to operate the auxiliarymeans.

EMIL A. WINNE'WISSER. 

